Ex-teller admits embezzling

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A 29-year-old former U.S. Bank bank teller admitted Monday that she embezzled more than $66,000 from elderly patrons, some of whom suffered from dementia.

Jeanne Ann Dey of Indian Hills pleaded guilty to embezzlement, and faces up to 10 years in prison, and a $10,000 fine at her sentencing July 8.

Her lawyer, Richard Davies, asked District Judge Michael Gibbons to set out sentencing in the hopes that Dey would be able to pay a substantial sum of restitution.

“Hopefully, it would be enough that you would consider probation at the sentencing,” Davies said.

In exchange for her guilty plea, the district attorney’s office agreed to dismiss three charges of embezzlement involving a victim age 60 or older.

The crimes reportedly took place in 2010 and 2011.

Dey is accused of setting up accounts, then archiving the accounts so the victims didn’t receive statements.

She would then allegedly withdraw money from the accounts.

According to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, the thefts came to light when the relative of an account holder who died discovered $8,000 had been withdrawn from her mother’s account within 12 hours of her death.

According to the criminal complaint, Dey is accused of embezzling $16,000 from the 82-year-old victim who died; $29,000 from an 89-year-old man and his 85-year-old wife, and $8,000 from an 83-year-old man and his 86-year-old wife.

The fourth count involves $13,675 from a victim who is not elderly.

The losses were covered by the bank which is out $58,675, according to court documents.

Dey is out of custody on $50,000 bail.

On Monday, Davies also filed substitution of attorney, replacing Ron Cauley who had represented Dey after her arrest.

During questioning by Gibbons, Dey said she understood the charges and the ramifications of a guilty plea.

Each side is free to argue at sentencing.

Answering “yes, sir” to Gibbons questions, Dey said she understood there would be no trial, and that she was giving up any defenses to the crime.

Dey admitted she diverted the money to her own use without permission.

Gibbons told Dey she remained under the same bail conditions, and she was to remain in touch with her attorney and the district attorney’s office.

She is forbidden to have contact with any of the victims.

Gibbons told Davies that he presided over an embezzlement case in another jurisdiction where the defendant asked for a three-month delay in sentencing to raise money for restitution.

“In essence, she tried to hold the court hostage,” Gibbons said. “She didn’t bring any money to sentencing, and she didn’t get probation.”